Wallabies great David Campese has seized on the furore created by British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland ahead of the tour of Australia, declaring: "Everyone hates the Poms".

New Zealander Gatland is in damage control after voicing concerns that having too many England players in his combined side could create a "media circus" during the tour.

But that circus is already in full swing as the British media swoop on the controversy and Campese, never shy of a comment, was an obvious target for some response. The former Aussie wonder-wing, who has made a habit of baiting England during and after his great career, didn't disappoint.